Angels of the Pacific: A Novel of World War II

Description

"Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read about two very different women who discover just how strong they can be-and just how much they'll dare-during the brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This story of endurance and sisterhood will have you turning pages late into the night." -Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author If you loved Beantown Girls by Jane Healey and Hazel Gaynor's When We Were Young & Brave, then you won't want to miss critically acclaimed author Elise Hooper's powerful new novel of the Angels of Bataan, nurses held as prisoners during the occupation of the Philippines in World War II. Their survival would depend on sisterhood and service. Inspired by the extraordinary true stories of World War II's American Army nurses famously known as the Angels of Bataan and the unsung contributions of Filipinas of the resistance, this novel transports us to a remarkable era of hope, bravery, perseverance, and ultimately-victory. The Philippines, 1941: Tess Abbott, an American Army nurse, has fled the hardships of the Great Depression at home for the glamour and adventure of Manila, one of the most desirable postings in the world. But everything changes when the Japanese Imperial Army invades with lightning speed and devastating results. Tess and her band of nurses serve on the front lines until they are captured as prisoners of war and held behind the high stone walls of Manila's Santo Tomas Internment Camp. When the Japanese occupation of her beloved homeland commences, Flor Dalisay, a Filipina university student, will be drawn into the underground network of resistance, discovering within herself reserves of courage, resilience, and leadership she never knew she possessed. As the war continues, Tess and Flor face danger, deprivation, and terror, leading them into a web of danger as they unexpectedly work together to save lives and win their freedom.

Although a New Englander by birth (and at heart), Elise lives with her husband and two young daughters in Seattle, where she teaches history and literature. The Other Alcott is her first novel.

"Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read about two very different women who discover just how strong they can be-and just how much they'll dare-during the brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This story of endurance and sisterhood will have you turning pages late into the night." - Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author "In this heart-stopping tale of courage and resilience during WW2, Elise Hooper brings the remarkable true story of army nurses, the Angels of Bataan, into the hands and hearts of her readers. Through compulsive, dramatic and tender prose, rich in details of place and time, Hooper expertly handles the unique complexities of the war in the Pacific and the struggles of those caught up in it. Her characters, Tess and Flor, demand the pages to be turned, and their story to be told. This is historical fiction to devour, to inform, and to press into the hands of your friends." - Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author "Hooper's eye for detail and skillful storytelling shine once more in her latest historical novel about the military nurses who risked their lives in the Filipino resistance during WWII. A powerful testament to female friendship and bravery, Angels of the Pacific is a gripping, satisfying read." - Heather Webb, USA Today bestselling author of The Next Ship Home "Elise Hooper's latest book is a meticulously researched, captivating story about WWII nurses serving in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation. In Angels of the Pacific, Hooper pushes past the boundaries of the traditional war novel to reveal little-known details of the challenges endured by an extraordinarily brave and resilient group of women. Infused with Hooper's trademark heart and bountiful narrative abilities, this is a tale that shocks and inspires." - Lynda Cohen Loigman, national bestselling author of The Two-Family House and The Wartime Sisters "Elise Hooper's Angels of the Pacific is a captivating and heart-wrenching portrayal of the US Army and Navy nurses in WWII... This stellar novel is an ode to the power of female friendships and to just how strong, brave and resilient women can be in the very darkest of times. Hooper has brought the true story of the Angels of Bataan to light in a way that both celebrates their unique piece of WWII history and honors their many sacrifices. I loved it!" - Jane Healey, bestselling author of The Beantown Girls and The Secret Stealers "Told in vivid detail and with tremendous heart, Angels of the Pacific is a deeply moving WWII novel that will have you up all night turning the pages. Hooper masterfully brings this little known story of the heroic nurses in the Philippines to life, weaving together fascinating history, an intricate plot, and characters that you will be rooting for the whole way. A must read!" - Sara Ackerman, bestselling author of Radar Girls "Absorbing and fascinating, Angels of the Pacific is historical fiction at its finest. With characters to root for, a story that keeps the pages turning, and a multi-layered look into history of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during WWII, Angels of the Pacific is a story of sisterhood, resilience, and hope. Hooper's attention to historical detail and commitment to research is evident in every page." - Susie Orman Schnall, author of We Came Here to Shine "Heroism, strong characters, and period dialogue shine in Hooper's (Fast Girls, 2020) latest." - Booklist "A fast-paced and well researched historical account surrounding the military nurses held by the Japanese as prisoners of war in Manila, who have come to be known as the "Angels of Bataan." While fictionalized before, the story is told here by an authoritative author in a refreshingly authentic female voice and perspective." - Historical Novel Society